The Prone Hip Internal Rotation Test measures hip internal rotation with the client lying face down and the knee flexed. It is useful for tracking rotational mobility, comparing sides and adding context to running, squatting, change of direction and hip movement assessment.
A client may show different hip rotation between sides during squatting, cutting, golf rotation, running or change-of-direction tasks. Measuring prone hip internal rotation provides a controlled way to record rotational ROM and monitor change.
The MAT article describes the client lying prone, flexing one knee with the heel over the knee, placing the Measurz inclinometer along the tibia and moving the foot away from midline until pelvic lift begins. The source text appears to contain wording inconsistency around “external rotation” in the reference value, so the score should be interpreted cautiously and recorded as the movement actually tested: prone hip internal rotation.
Test name: Prone Hip Internal Rotation Test
Purpose: Assess prone hip internal rotation range of motion
What it assesses: Rotational ROM of the hip in prone
Equipment: Measurz inclinometer or equivalent inclinometer
Key finding: Internal rotation angle in degrees
Best used with: Prone hip external rotation, supine hip rotation, hip flexion, squat and change-of-direction assessment
Key limitation: Pelvic lift and tibial alignment can change the result
This test measures hip internal rotation while the client lies prone with the knee flexed. The foot moves away from midline as the femur rotates internally.
It is used to assess rotational hip mobility, compare sides and help understand whether hip rotation may influence movement patterns.
It measures prone hip internal rotation ROM in degrees. It does not measure hip strength, pelvic control, pain source or sport performance.
Active ROM is measured when the client moves the leg. Passive ROM may be recorded when the movement professional assists the leg while controlling the pelvis. Record the method clearly.
Athletes, runners, golfers, field sport clients, gym clients, lower-limb mobility tracking and clients where hip rotation comparison is relevant.
Measurz inclinometer, treatment table or mat, Measurz app, and notes for side, pain, active/passive method and pelvic movement.
Ask the client to lie prone. Flex the test knee so the heel is over the knee. Place the inclinometer along the tibia. Ask the client to internally rotate the hip by moving the foot away from the midline. Stop when the pelvis begins to lift or rotate. Save the result in Measurz.
Record internal rotation ROM in degrees. Because hip rotation norms vary by test position and the MAT source wording has a likely reference-value inconsistency, prioritise baseline, side-to-side comparison and progress across sessions.
Evidence level: Level 3, limited exact norms for this specific protocol.
Use baseline and side comparison rather than applying a universal value. Supine and prone hip rotation scores should not be treated as interchangeable.
A 2023 study comparing IMU measurement with goniometer and inclinometer methods included active hip ROM tasks such as standing hip flexion and prone internal/external rotation, supporting the relevance of standardising hip ROM device methods.
Common errors include pelvic lift, lumbar rotation, inconsistent tibial placement, moving too quickly, confusing hip rotation direction and comparing prone and supine rotation directly.
Use this test to monitor hip rotation, compare sides, guide mobility work and add context to squat, running, agility and sport-specific rotation tasks.
Record side, prone hip internal rotation angle, active/passive method, pain score, symptom location, pelvic lift, tibial device placement, comparison with external rotation and retest date.
Prone Hip External Rotation Test
Supine Hip Internal Rotation Test
Supine Hip External Rotation Test
Hip Flexion Test
Squat Assessment
505 Agility Test
It measures hip internal rotation ROM in a prone position.
Pelvic lift can make the result appear greater than the available hip rotation.
No. Test position changes the result and should be recorded separately.
Either can be used if recorded and repeated consistently.
The test measures prone hip internal rotation.
Control pelvic lift.
Record active/passive method.
Use side comparison rather than broad norms.
Track results separately from supine rotation tests.
Królikowska, A., et al. (2023). Validity and reliability of inertial measurement units in active range of motion assessment of the hip joint. Sensors, 23(21), 8782.
Fraeulin, L., et al. (2020). Intra- and inter-rater reliability of joint range of motion tests using tape measure, digital inclinometer and inertial motion capturing. PLOS ONE, 15(12), e0243646.
